By A Correspondent- Government has disbursed funds to the first batch of Bulawayo businesses that lost their goods and properties during the January protests which were characterised by looting and burning down of shops.

The money is part of the $19,5 million special fund set up to assist businesses that were looted during the violent protests.

An inter-ministerial team visited most of the affected areas in January before coming up with the fund.

Bulawayo province suffered the most devastating damage.

In an interview to the state media, Industry and Commerce Deputy Minister Raj Modi said the first batch of beneficiaries had received their funds.

“Most of them have received the money although some people could not have received theirs. I know the first batch of money has been given to its beneficiaries. I don’t have the exact figures of how much was disbursed but I am aware that the Government disbursed the money,” said Modi.

He expressed ignorance on claims that some people who were intended to receive the money did not get their allocations.

 “That one I don’t know about it. The application process was done in a transparent manner so I wouldn’t know those claims,” said Modi. 

Industrialists estimate that the economy could have lost business amounting to $300 million over the three-day forced shut-down.-StateMedia